Laryngoscope



Feb. 3, 1948.

IN VEN TOR.

wx l BY l /Alv Feb. 3, 1948. w. K. LONG 2,435,400

LARYNGOSCOPE Filed Oct. 5, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 3, 194s. W K, LONG 2,435,400

LARYNGOSCOPE Filed ont. 5, 1945 3 shets-sheet s 263e' J6 777 jg A:n .51 7 IG).

Patented Feb. 3, 1948 UNITED STATES OFFICE W alter 'K. Long, Auburn, Y., assigner 'f to William N. Allyn, Skaneatele'aN. Y.

Application october 5, 1945, serial N0. 620,459 lzclaims. (c1. 12s-11) This invention relates to instruments used ,in the practice oilaryngoscopy, and moreespeci'ally.

to folding laryngeal speculums of the type dis"- closed in Patent No. 2,289,226, r-,frarited July 7, 1942, to Richard fvon Foregger.

The primary object of .thefpresentinvention is to provide an improveddetachableljointbetween the supporting batteryhandle and tl'ielaryngeal blade of such instruments.

A,further object .of the invention is to provide a laryngoscope havinga foldable lalyngealblade which is connected toits handlegsupport by a rotatable joint ,which isCsoconstructed and arranged thatwhen the joint isrotatedtoone'position, the laryngeal blade 4Will lie closealongsde the handle in substantially parallel folded relation thereto,.and Whenrotatedto anotherposition, the blade Will be extended Vto its normal position of use, with the blade projecting Vfrom the handleaat approximately a right angle thereto.

Another object .of the invention isto provide an improvedrotary joint ofitheafor'einentioned type, and in which vthere is incorporated a circuit controlling device forthe usual electric-lampen the laryngeal blade, said circuit controlling device being operable to,interruptthelainncircuit responsive tovrotation of the joint-.andthebladeto thefolded blade position, ,'andalsoopeilative to automatically close the lamp Ycircuit responsive to rotation of the jointto tlieextendedoperative position of the. blade.

-A .still further object ofthe invention is vto 'provide an improved detachable. connection between the .laryngealblade andthe handlef the instru? ment, said connection having the formofa rolia-table joint of the type above referred toan, d serving to permit quick and easy detachment of the blade from the handle,A and interchange of blades ofdiTerent sizes and/or types.

:Yet another object of the invention. is. to provide an improved detachable laryngeal blade having. a head that, isattachable to and, detachable from a support, and provided with locking means for releasably locking thebladeto thesupport.

Other and furtherobjects andadvantagesgof the invention Willbe hereinafter describedafnd the novel features thereof defined bythe appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l isa view inside elevation ,ofA a laryngescope constructed. in accordance withmyinvention, and showing the laryngeal blad'efiir folded .positonin full lines, andin its extended, operative position in broken lines;

Figure 2 is an Aenlarged fragmentary view,

2 partly in section andpartlyjin elevation, show1ng the detalls of therotarydetacliablejointbetween the laryngeal bladeand the battery handle;

AFigures `3, :4 and 5 are sectional views taken respectively on thejlines13 3 V4- 4 and 5 5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6,isa top plan yiewwof the split collar which forms V`a part of the rotary joint when mounted onine batterr,handle;

`Figure 7 is ya View of thecollar of sideelevation; l l

Figure 8 is a view in top plan of the closurefor thegsplit collarof Figure 6; Y

Eigure 9 is a viewin end elevation of the closure of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a view in side elevation of the closure;

Figure-11 is a view inbottom yplan of the rotatable interlocking means for the blade head which isdisposedwithingthe collar 0i" Figures 6 and '7,

Figure 6 when the blade isattached tothe battery handle;

Figure r3 is a fragmentary composite view illustrating the manner of attaching anddetaching the laryngealblade to, the battery handle;

Figure 1 4 is a fragmentarysectional View generally -similar to :Figure '2L showing Ia modified form of rotary joint between the laryngeal blade 'andthe batteryhandle, with the laryngeal .blade in its folded position; y "Figure 15 is airagmentarysectional view of the modied construction of vFigure 14, with the laryngeal blade shifted to its extendedposition; "Figure 16 4is 'a fragmentary View in side elevation 0f' the head of th'ellarfrngel blade? Figure 17 is a sectionalview'gtaken on the line I'l--l'l ofEigureli; D

Figure 1 8 is a sectionalview taken on the line lf3-#I8 0f lieureland i "Figure' l9 is a top plan view offthelock actuator or release device, Y

Like reference characters Avdesignate corresponding parts in the several "figures of the drawings.

spring |3.

to an extended position projecting at approximately a right angle to the battery handle, .as

It will be understood, of course, that insteadh of employing a supporting handle having a self'- contained source of electrical energy, Ethe handle..

may be provided with 2in-extension cord Vwhichv can be plugged into any convenient electricaloutlet.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2,A the battery handle includes a cylindrical body or case provided with .a' cap., 6 detachably connectedto itslower end,` and which, on detachment cf rthe cap, permitsremoval and replacement ofthe dry-cells 2, whenY so required. At the upper end of the body or oase 5, there is provided a head 'l whichmay be permanently attached to the case, or removably connected thereto by suitable screw fastenings or other instrumentalltiesas preferred.v The head 1 1s provided at its upper endwithlan inclined face 8 lying in a plane disposed at an angle of preferably 43, relative to the centralaxis of the battery handle, as indicated in Figurel, sothat on movement of the laryngeal blade to its (extended position, it will be slightly inclined Vrelatlvetc the horizontal.

Recessed in the inclined face 8 of the head1 yis a spring-pressed detent or latch member 9; said detent preferably having the form ofa pin l0 end with a head 24 having an inclined face 25V disposed for abutting rotativeV engagement with the outer inclined face of thecollar 2|, and the head 24 is arranged for rotative movement about an axis which intersects the central Yaxis of the batteryt handle at an angle ofsubstantially 137, as shown in Figure 1. For this purpose, the head 2,4 isrigidly attached to Va'swivelV member gener'ally designated 26, said" swivel member including a nipple 2l threadedly engaged tightly in a central opening 28 in the head '24, said nipple terminating in a generally circular base portion 29V which Vis flattened at opposite sides, as indicated at 3tlgV 30 in Figure 3. The width of the base portioni29 ofthe swivel member, as measured beVV tween the flattened sides 30, 3|), is somewhat less Vthan the width of the space between the split arms. of the collar 2|' on the upper end of the battery handle, so that when the attened sides 30,

:lllv are aligned with the split side of the collar 2 |,V

the swivel'member maybe inserted in the collar bya transverse movement,V as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1 3 ofthe drawings. A'Ihusgthe head 24 of the laryngeal'blade'".y is detachably,

connected to the head 'Lonthe battery handleVV through interengagement of the swivel member 26 and the collar 2|, these elements formingto-A gether adetachable rotary joint. .Y In order to permit the swivel member 26 to'b`e engaged with thecollar 2|, the'base portion 2 9 of the swivel member is spaced Vfrom the inclined face 25 of the head' 24 v on the laryngeal blade, and the collar 2| is provided at its inner side with a circular recess 3| which forms an overhanging at the split side of the collar 2|, a cl-osure V'memprojecting downwardly into the recess and loosely encircles the outer'end ofY the pin I0 and r is threadedly engaged withthe outer end of the recess I for the purpose oflirniting theroutward movement of the pin i0 under the pressure of the 1 Also recessed in the inclinedface 8 of the battery handle head 'l is 4an electrical contactmember |5, said contact 'memberbeing supported 0n the free end of a flexible leafspring I6 xed at |1 tothe vhead 1 and suitably insulated therefrom. The contact member |5 is suitably connected to the dry-cells 2 in-the battery handle, as by`means of a conductor I8 leading from the contact l5 through the head l to a fixed contact I9 at the lower end of the head, and against which the central pole 20 of the dry-cell '2 abuts in the well known manner.,

ASecured to the inclined face 8 of the'V head 'l of the battery handle v'isa collar 2|, said collar being split at one side, as at 22, as best shown in Figures 3, 5,A v6. and 7. The collar is preferably removably attached to the head 1 by outer face of the'cjollarSo as to lie flush therewith. The vouter face of the collar is substantially parallel withtheinclinedfface B of the head 1.

ber Vis prefe'rably'provided, said closure member Ahaving the formshown in Figures 8 to 10 inclusive. The closure memberV isvgenerally designatedj33 Jandj includes an arm V31| 'provided with an opening 35`therein, throughwhich opening the nipple 2`| of the swivel kmember 26I extends, with the arm 34 disposedbetween the base portionZB of the swivelmember and the inclined face 25 of the head' 24. v'Ihis arm `34 is loosely mounted on the swivel member so that it is freeto swingV for alignmentfwith the split side vof the collar as the laryngeal blade is attached to the Ybattery handle. The outer. end ofthe arm 34 is provided with a depending arcuate Vsegment 36 which ts between the spaced arms of the split collar 2| and 'forms a continuation of the marginal wallof the collar,2|, the arm 34 being coextensive withthe upper side of the co11ar. A

- tioned with relationto the head 24 of the larynscrew fastenings ,23which are recessed in the Y geal bladethat the Vattachment ofthe laryngeal blade to the battery handle is normally made 'by holding thebIade in parallel relation to thebat- 'teryhandle and then sliding the 'inclined faces 4of the two heads onithe laryngeal blade andon the battery handle respectively towards .each other. After the interengagement has been ef- Vfectedthe laryngeal. blade canbe swung YVto its extended position as shown in broken lines 'in Figure 1 of the drawings, andin this position, as well as in every other position between it 'and the 'folded position of the blade, the bladeis locked vtothe battery handle due' tothe angular displacement of the flattened sidesof the base portion ofV the swivel member 2S relative to the split side of thecollarZI.

The laryngeal blade 3 is provided at its inner '(5 In order to prevent inadvertent vseparation'- of therotary joint when the laryngeal .bladeis in its folded losition'. as. Well asftd yieldahlylestrallth?. laryngeal'v blade against; rotary 'moi/,eurent in its respective folded. and extended positions, the. in: ner face of the base portion 29 of the swivel meng? berv 2B.is provided with a pairofrecesses respectively designated" 31 and 38.' and 38 selectively cooperate With .the yeldable de; tent 9." It will .be observed in .3,ofthe drawings that the. recess 3.1 is somewhat shallower.

than the recess 38, in order to permit Kready separation of the rotary. joint. when the. laryngeal blade'is to .be detached from the battery handle,

When the uetent s'is engaged. with'the recess, Se, r1ow.e.ver.,A which. eceurewhen, the laryngeal.

blade is rotated to its extended Positien, the in: creaseddepthmof the recess 3 8., increases the re,-` straining .action of the detent 9, which is desir.- ablein order to prevent accidental rotation of the blade while it is in use.

For.. the purpose. f eet-ablishine .ari electrel.

circuit between. thebettery. handle andthe lem?. Lon: the laryngeal blade 3, `there is. meuriied on the bottom facejof thevbase portion ZSUQVthe swivel member 2t` a. block. of .insulating materiel..

39. This insulating material is preferably circu-` lar in shapeand `is recessed. centrally in thefbottomofthe4 swivel. member, as clearly shown in Figures. Zand 3., At one side of the center of the insulatingv block 35 and fixed thereto isfan electrical contact 40 which is suitably connected,

by a conductor 4I, to the lamp 4. This contact member. 4.0.is so arranged that when the. laryngeal blade4 is disposedin its folded position, the contact Mis spaced from the contact I5- on the upper end ofthe batteryhandle, but when thelaryngeal, bladeis swung to its extended position, the contact 4,0, will., automatically engagevthey yieldably mounted contact I5, and thus closethe-circuit to the electriclamp. the opposite Sideofftheeircuit being grounded through theframe of the in.- strumentjinj theusual manner. When'rthe laryngeal blade is swung to its foldedposition, the lamp.

circuit is automaticallybroken by disengagement .of the ,Contact dllgfrom the contact I5.

Referring to. the form of the invention illu/ sf trated in Figures 1d to 19V inclusive, the battery handle I contains one-or more vdry-cells 2f which. are. housed: in thelcasing. 5', the upper end of` which is attached toa head I which is gener-l allysimilar. tothe. head 1. previously described, At the .upper end of the head 1', itis provided withj aninclined face 8C, in which is recesseda detenty 9' which is held in place by a nut I4'. This. de-v tent Ymay. bethesanie as in the `first.fr )rrnof the invention, or it. may be modified so ,thatthe pin` I0. is provided. atits .innerrend with a depending. annularskirtl) within which is seated theputerA The opposite. .end o f. 'the coil. sp'ringseats against` the bottom, of the.

end. of .the coil spring I3f..

recess I I In the modified form of .theinventiom there, is.

provided 1a. memberlfvwhich corresponds to the swivel member 26'previous1y described, but inthe modified form; this .member 26j'is carriedlby the.

head 1' `o fithe battery handle, and is fixed .thereto so as to remain. relatively stationary, as byI threadedly engaging the nipple 21 tightlyinthe'. threaded recess .28.'. in the battery handle head.. This member 25..' thus constitutes one part of the, separable joint or connector between thebattery.

handle-and the laryngeal'.blade..V The member 26'. is provided with a radially outwardly extended flange 29'. which is attened on itsopposite sides, as at30',.30...,:andion the upper face .ofzthisan'gei These; recesses. 3,1.

thgreislprcnided; anlueazarslly extended arcuate: ri f -'.'.1-he'.,.nange.29f-oir the member 26' is spaced, from. the; incline. fece It.- .ofi thev battery handle s. head and.. isnosed n. .thi.s,..spe.e.. is` en. erm.:

inertie au. 'elongated 'onetime 3.5' therein. The.. nipplev .2lxtendsthreueh this. ,opening end..-

the arm 34' is free to pivot around thenlpplaas well. tashiftireusrerselr respeetins the ,Cen- 1o.

34. iserevidedfwith in. thisiaeteaee, C tee .fen nemen 9 manner effeloelte.. uaterer Operating device 'thede.eer.--aieeef36..y open side of the head 4.2,4V orrthe laryngeal blad@ tituteselneer-Dieee crient "iiee 29"" 0f the member..

zere'. eeleeweeesthe .ersfeeea baie e' is; tha-better needle. The recess Slis.

and. the i. armi 3.4- i beine rotatable. with. the head1 24"','until 'uitiniatelyth extended position of. the,

blade ie ree-elles# @which time the recess: 56 engagea; the i detente ein lllato rm-iyholdA the.

dirhthe eytendedposition as. f Iriftbiecenneetien, iis-may.. y DITQSQW iepreferably Sube" Sieniieilmtreneer. ftlleniilie Spring. u-andthe pin.:V I 0g Yseats.,deeply..ini.the .recess ,5.6 in .order to insure that., the.b1ade ll remain relatively rigid-- when. in,usei 'tsexten eli-position,whereasboth detente. mirati@ re.r19t .as.;rm1y engaged in the folded position of the blade, in orderl that.

....eersteee. that when the blade.. i i ...s f0.1 positienl itfivinf mieelieni, the: 304,49; relative fie-tbe.

es Oven- Sideeizeeffihe.. eed-2.45, Sather-in every. Pfleitien.,1 exeept the-..f.elded .po.si.ti0n offtheblade 35;.y theheadel wi the positively-flocked or con-,- nested tQ-.thehead I1"! thefbattery handle.A preventing inadvertentfseparationfof the vblade fromthebetteryhandlee. Inorder .to .enabletheA blade to.. swunsclro its -exten,dedfV position to .the folded.gposition.theedetentipin IUC mustbe dis engagedffromlthe recess A.5I;.in .the ringer-piece.l 36?, andtthis is; preterablyaccoxnplished by. press-.. ing. .the ...flngerepiece 35i. finwardly, 'as permittedtrai eirieefthe-nipple. The .Outer .end f the erin` en ,enlarged heed 36' which...

1 .Qfihe arm. 34 11.1 the.

so fol-'msV a closure for the` 5.41. this finger-piece by the' elongated opening 35' in the `arrd34",

This inward movement of the iinger-piece causes the inclinedface 58 ofthe recess 51 to depress the'detent pin'lll, following which, the head2# and laryngeal blade 3', together with the iingerpiece 36 and the arm 34', canbe freelyrctated to bring the blade to its folded positicnis'hown in Figure V14. l l It will be further seen thatthe inner edge: of the finger-piece 36 is recessedf as at59', to :lit over the flange 29' of'the member 26", and this recess serves asa guide to readily determine the spacing of theflange ililiromA the linclined face 8' of the head 1', with suilicient'roombetweenv the flange 29 and the face 8 to allowireedom of movementcf thearmv 34'? -In order to contro1 the opening and closing ofy the lamp circuit responsive to movement of the laryngeal blade 3' to and irornits respective folded and extended positions, suitable electricr contact members are Vprovided on the heads ef the laryngeal blade f and the battery-handle vref'r spectively. In'the caseof the battery handle` head 1', the member 2B isV provided cnits upper facewith a recessed insulated l`suppo`rt 39' which carries an electric contact 40 which isccnnected by a.v conductor I8' to the contactolnv'at theboten tom of 'the head1', said latter contact normallyy engaging the central pole ',2011 of the dry-cell.k 2 a Mounted in the head 24' en the laryngeallblade 3' is Ya threaded insert` 640 valso;preferably'made of insulating material,V 'said insert havingrecessed therein a yielding contact member ,55 which gis normally urged in adownward direction by'a spring` i60. This contact'member l5 is opera` tively connectedby a conductor llll' leading yto the electriclamp on the outer'endofjthelaryngeal bladeS, as illustrated in Figure rIhev arrangement of the contact memberslll and l" is such that when the laryngeal blade'is 'disposed' in its folded position, the contactsare displaced relative to each other, and the electric circuit to the lamp is open. On the other hand, when the blade is swung to its-extendedposition, the 'con` tact members will automatically be'broughtintcengagement, as shown-in Figure` 1"5 ,'thereby clos#V ing the lamp circuit and causing'the lamp to be" illuminated. 1 l 1 It will be vfurther seen thatthe insert 60 'is vso disposedl in the head 2'4 of thelaryng'eal lladeVA 3 that it lies on the upperf'side of the flange 29? of the member 26', and as the head 24"isrbroughtvinto its assembled position withrelation` tothe battery handle head1', the insertdabut's against the rib or flange 5| on the upperface ofthe member said rib acting as an abutment'mern'- ber, and preventing any possibility"'of incorrectV assembly of the laryngeal blade on 'the' batteryv handle. f f "i In general, the twoforms of the invention here'- inbefore described are similarin z`onstru'ction' and operation, and differ from 'each' other primarily in matters of detail. Wheiethe details are the same, in 'the modified construction', the same reif' erence characters'are employed and have been primed. Bothv constructions are lbasically thel same in respectfto the provision offa detachable' rotary joint for detachably connecting the laryn-V geal blade to the vbattery handle. i

Owing to the detachabilityrof the'rotary joints hereinbefore'described, it will be readily apparent that laryngeal blades of differentisizes and/or types may be readily interchanged'ioruselwith a common battery handle.' vThis is particularly desirable in the vuse of (.laryngoscopes Awhen usedl for the examination of patients of differentv ages' rangingfromV small children to adults. Also, the;

removability of the'laryngeal blade lenablesthe" blades to'be sterilized more conveniently after use. f f

VWhile shown and described, my invention is not coniin'ed theretoV as changes and alterations may :be 'f made rwithout departing from lthe'spirit thereofV as deiined by the appended claims.

vl'claim'; o i

' 1.]A`n' instrument of theV class described, com.

prising'a supporting handle having a at,inclined-" face on oneV end thereof, a laryngeal blade naviL ingja head on one end thereof, 'said head beingV provided with a corresponding iiat, inclined face,L and means for pivotally connecting theblade' toVV the handle with the lrespective inclined faces inl rotative abutting engagement rwith-each other,

tended position projecting from *theY handle s'ub'f i stantially/ laterally therefrom.` v i 2.*An instrument vas defined in claim Vl,

where# in the inclinedfaces onjthe handle and laryngeal' blade respectively, liefina'plane intersecting the" central axis 'ofthe tially 43@ 7' i 3. An instrunfientl as deiined in clair'n l,"where" in the inclined faces on the handle andiaryn'geal blade respectively, lie in afplane intersecting'the central axisl-of ythe, handle at anY QanglefbifsubeL stantially 43, and theA axis ofV the pivotal connecV- tion between the blade andthe handle intersectsv the central axis' ofthe handle at anangleof subL stantiauy 137.k

Anfrinstrument' of theclass described, come? prising a supporting handle having aat, inclined" face on one end thereof, a lraryngeallblade having",l

a head on vone end thereofysaidfheadfbeing'pro#l vided with a corresponding flat, inclined face,'an d means for pivotally and releasably connectingr the blade to the handle with the rrespective-faces' inrotativegabutting engagement with each other; whereby on rotation of the blade to'onev position' relative to the handle, the blade Will-assume a and having a base portion disposed-in s'paced`par--, i

allel relation tothe inclined iaceof vthe-head, andv said handle having a recessed seat in the inclined' face of theV latter, with the base portion'of the, swivel member rotatively disposed in said seat.:

26. An-instrumerit asV dened in claim'l, Where-. in the pivotalV connecting means includes a swivel4 member threadedly connected to the head of the blade :and having afbase portion disposed "1in spaced parallel relation to the inclined face'of the head, and saidhandle having a recessed seat inthe inclinedfaceof the latter,y with the base portion'of the swivel member rotatively disposed" in said seat. i l 7L An instrument fas dened inlcla'iml, where'- in the pivotal connecting means includes a swivelV member' rigidlycarried by `the head of the blade` and 'having-a ba'se portion disposedin 'spaced-,-

the speciiic details have'been hereinl handle at an angle of substan` parallel relation to the inclined face ofthe head..

said handle having a recessed seat in the inclined face of the latter, with the base portion of.` the swivel member rotatively disposedvin said' seat,

v'the inclined face of the handle having the form of a collar removably secured to the handle and provided with an interior annular 'recess in which the base portion of the swivel member is rotatively disposed.

9'. An instrument of the class described, comprising a supporting handle having a flat, inclined face on one end thereof, a laryngealV blade having a head on one end thereof, said head being provided with a corresponding flat, inclined face, a swivel member rigidly carried'by the head of the blade and having a generally circular base portion disposed in spaced'parallel relation to the inclined face of Vthe head,v a generally circular collar mounted on the inclinedface of' the` handle and having its outer face disposed'substantially parallel to the inclined Yfaces on the blade head' and the handle respectively, for rotative abutting contact with the inclined face on-the blade head, said collar having an internal annular recess in which the base portion of the swivelmember is seated for rotation therein, whereby to. allow the laryngeal blade to be swung from a folded position substantially parallel and adjacent to the handle, to

handle, and vice versa.'

10. An instrument of the class described, comprising a supporting handle having a nat, inclined face on one end thereof, a laryngeal blade having a head on one end thereof," said head being zprovided with a corresponding flat, inclinediface,

a swivel member removably attached to the head of the blade :and having a generally circular base portion disposed in spaced parallel relation to the inclined-face of the head, agenerally circularcok lar removably mounted onthe inclined faceaof the handlel and having its outer face disposed substantially parallel to the inclined faces on the blade head and the handle respectively, for rotative abutting contact with the inclined face on the blade head, said collar having an internal annular recess in which the base portion of the swivel member is seated for rotation therein, whereby to allow the laryngeal blade to be swung from a folded position substantially parallel and adjacent to the handle, to an extended position projecting laterally from the handle, and vice versa.

11. An instrument of the class described, comprising a supporting handle having a flat, inclined face on one end thereof, a laryngeal blade having a head on one end thereof, said head being provided with a corresponding dat, inclined face, means for pivotally connecting the blade to the handle with the respective inclined faces in rotative abutting engagement with each other, whereby on rotation of the blade to one position relative to the handle, the blade will assume a folded position substantially parallel and adjaan extended'position projecting, laterallyfrom the centto thehandle, andpni'otation ofthe blade to anotherposition, the'blade" willassurneV ani extended position projecting fiom'thehandle substantially' lateratlly'` therefrom; and meansv for releasably restraining said blade against movement when' theblade is' selectively moved' to its `respectivefoldedfand extended' positions;

12. An7 instrument off the class described, com'- pri'sing a supporting handle having a flat, in'- 'clined face onone endthere'of, -alaryngeal blade having ahead" on onejfendl thereof, said' head beingprovidedwith a corresponding flat, inclined face, meansfor pivotally connecting', the bladeto thel handle' with the-respective inclined Afaces in rotativeI abutting-engagement witheaclr other, wherebyonrotationfof the blade'toone position relative to the handle, the blade will-assume a folded positionsubstantiallyparallel and adjacent-tothe Lhandle',A and on rotation ofy the `blade to another position, the blade will 'assumer anl extended positionl projecting from the-handle sub= stantiallyv laterally therefrom; and detent means for"y releasablyV restr-aining `said blade` against movement Whenthe'bla'de'is selectively moved-'to itsI respective-'folded and extended positions.

13.*Ain instrumentas deined-I in claim 9; in combination withY means forA releasably locking said' blade-in-its respective folded'- and extended positions. f

14. An instrument as defined in claim- 9, in combination'with meansl for releasably locking said yblade in its' -respective-1-folded' and" extended positions; saidl means comprising a spring-pressed detentl recessed l in and normally proj ecting from tlieinclined face onf thev handle; and the' base portion` of the swivel member being-provided with apluralityofspaced'recesses inwhich the detent is selectively engageable-in-therespective folded and extendedpositions'of the blade; y

151 Aninstrument as'deined` in claim 1, wherein-the laryngealblade is detachably connected'to the handle'by'thev pivotal connecting means, and the l pivotal connecting" means includes` coacting interlo'ckingparts 'mounted' respectively, on the lblade head andontheliandle.

interlocking parts mounted respectively on' the ybls'tde'head and'onthe handle,.said"interlocking parts being' detachable"A byrelative lateral -displacementof'theinclinedifaces on the'handle and blade head.

17. An instrument vas defined in claim 1, wherein the laryngeal blade is detachably connected to the handle by the pivotal connecting means, and the pivotal connecting means includes coacting interlocking parts mounted respectively on the blade head and on the handle, said interlocking parts being detachable by relative lateral displacement of the inclined faces on the handle and blade head, only when the blade is in its folded position.

18. An instrument as defined in claim 9, wherein the base portion of the swivel member is fiattened at opposite sides thereof, and the collar is split at one side to form a space of such width as will permit lateral displacement of the swivel member from the collar when the swivel member is rotated by the blade to the folded blade position, with the flattened sides of the base portion of the swivel member aligned with the split side of the collar.

anaegkio v 19. An instrument as defined in claim 9, wherein the base portion of the swivel member is nattened at opposite sides' thereof, and the collarjis split at one side to form a space of such width as will permit lateral displacement of Vthe swivel member from the collar when the swivel member is rotated by the .blade to the folded blade position, with the flattened sides of the base portion of .the swivel member aligned with'` the split side of the collar, in combination with a closure member for the split side of .the collar, Ysaid'closure ,member being loosely v.mounted on the swivel member and havinga portion thereofvnormally disposed in the space at the split side Vof the collar to close said space when the blade is attached to the handle d .I d.

Y201 instrument as deiined in claim 9, wherein the laryngeal blade is provided with an electric lamp disposed adjacent tv theV freeendthereof,

andthe handle isprovided Witha source of electrical energy housed therein and connected in circuit with the lamp through the swivel member, in combination with Vcoacting` circuit-controlling means mounted on the base portion lo f the swivel member Vandon f the handle rspectively, Y and operable responsiveto movement of the laryngeal blade to its respective folded and extended positions, to respectively interrupt and close the lamp circuit. v Y

21. An instrumentof the classdescribed,

pris'ing a supporting'handlehavingV a iiat,in Y

clined face onon'e end thereof, a laryngealblade 'having af. head on oneencl thereof, said headbeing provided with a` corresponding iiat, inclined face, and means for pivotally connecting the blade to the handle with the respective linclined'faces in rotative abutting engagement with eachother, whereby on rotationof the blade to one position relative to thehandle, the blade Qwill assume fa .folded position substantially parallel and Aadja- `Vcenttolthe handle, and on rotation'of theblade .to another position, the blade will assume anexa'- Vtended position projecting i from the handle 'substantially laterally ftherefrom, said.v connecting? means including a relatively Astation'ary member mounted on the. inclinedfface'of thee-'supporting handle and adapted to vbe seated 'inV arecess 'formed in the head'on the laryngeal blzvatdell Y22. An instrument as delined in claim 21, lin combination with yieldable detent means mounted i on theY battery handle head and Yreleasaloly engageable with the'head on the laryngeal blade positions, and means for disengaging the detent Y means preliminary to pivotal movement ofv the.

laryngeal blade. j Y

Y 24. An instrumentas defined in claim 21,"in combination with yieldable :detent means mounted on the' battery handle h'e'adand releasably enj-Y gageable with theVV head on thelaryngeal blade to restrain the bladeY against pivotal movement when it is disposed V'in its respective folded and extended positions, and means for. disengaging thedetentmeans' preliminary to pivotal' move-1i ment of Vthe laryngeal blade, said lastenamed means Vincluding a'depressible actuator member having' a finger-piece disposed for convenient accessi to the user of the instrument.

25. instrument of theV class described,'comj f prisingvafsupportingvhandle having a flat,V ine lclined face on .one end thereof, a laryngeal blade having a head on one end thereof, said head being provided with a correspondingiflat, inclined face,

Vmeans for pivotallyv connecting'the blade to' the handle with therespective ,inclined faces in rotative abutting engagement with each otherrsadd means including means for preventing detachmentY of the blade from'the supporting 'handle 'except When the'. blade isshifted to ajpredetermined position relative t-o the handle, separate means for releasably restraining the blade against pivotal movement relative to the handle, and means for releasing the restraining' meansafore said preliminary (to pivotal movement of VVthe blade relative tothe supporting handle. Y

I 'WALTER K. LONG.

REFERENCES 'CITED The fnllowing.referencesy are of record in thejY jle of this patent:, f Y

l STATES PATENTs.Y Y Number Date Y 'K Name f 2,220,252 f Mattnews r Mar. 27,7191? vin claim `2L 

